Weekend fire destroys historic Illinois inn

LILLY (AP) — A historic central Illinois home that was once an inn for circuit-riding lawyers such as Abraham Lincoln was gutted by a weekend fire.

Authorities tell Pekin Daily Times (http://bit.ly/1sDTJr5 ) that Saturday's fire heavily damaged the Lilly Inn, which was built in the 1830s.

Historians say the property that's about 20 miles southeast of Peoria was an overnight stop for lawyers traveling between Bloomington, Peoria and Danvers in the mid-19th century. Abraham Lincoln was among the traveling group, but it wasn't clear if he stayed at the property. Historians believe he did.

Firefighters spent seven hours fighting the flames at the inn, which is now a rental home. No one was injured.